Where to Stay in Berlin, Germany: 4 Areas & Hotels

This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.

Planning a trip to Berlin and not sure where to stay? Well, don’t worry because we’re here to help! 

Berlin is one of those places we keep coming back to because it truly offers something for every kind of traveler. So now, we’re going to help you identify the best area to stay in, whether you’re here for the museums and monuments, the nightlife, or Berlin’s famous hipster vibes. 

And of course, all of the areas we’ve chosen are super well-connected, so that you’ll be easily able to explore the city from whichever neighborhood you choose. Keep on reading for all the need-to-know info on the best areas in Berlin, and who knows, maybe we’ll even run into you there!

Where to Stay in Berlin Map

This map is for representation only and does not accurately represent the borders of the areas, but rather serves as a guide.

Overview of the Best Areas To Stay in Berlin 

Berlin is a huge city, but it’s incredibly well connected by public transport, so don’t let its size intimidate you! Plus, the great thing about a city of this size is that there are tons of accommodation options to suit every type of traveler. 

Despite its size, we do consider Berlin to be a walkable city because many of its top areas are easy to explore on foot. Our step count goes through the roof every time we visit!

And don’t forget about the Ringbahn, which is a public train that encircles the city. It’s a fast and reliable way to get around, so staying near the Ringbahn means that Berlin is your oyster! Meanwhile, the U-Bahn (subway) also connects the city, and both systems use the same tickets, which is handy. 

At a glance, the top areas to stay in Berlin are:

• Prenzlauer Berg – A charming, laid-back neighborhood filled with cozy cafes, historic sights, and boutique shops, as well as excellent transport links. Schoenhouse City Street is our favorite hotel in this area!

• Kreuzberg – Berlin’s uber-edgy district that’s famous for its experimental creative scene, vibrant street art, and legendary nightlife. We like staying at Nena Apartments – Kreuzberg 61 for comfort and local flair that doesn’t break the bank.

• Friedrichshain – A fun, budget-friendly area with a local feel and a strong punk vibe, as well as a lot of the city’s best nightlife. STAYERY Berlin Friedrichshain is a comfortable and modern but affordable hotel in this area.

• Mitte – The city’s most central district is packed with major sights and museums, and while it’s not my personal favorite area of the city to stay in, you can’t beat it if you’re short on time. Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte is a solid mid-range here with easy access to all of the best sights.

Where to Stay in Berlin

Prenzlauer Berg 

Prenzlauer Berg—aka “Prenzlberg”— is easily one of Berlin’s most charming and picturesque neighborhoods. In fact, it’s hard to believe that it was once on the “wrong” side of the Berlin Wall, but back then, this area was actually a hub for dissidents and counterculture in East Berlin.

It has definitely undergone a fair bit of gentrification since then. Today, it has evolved into a family-friendly district filled with stylish cafés, indie boutiques, and organic farmers’ markets, as well as beautiful 19th-century architecture. I definitely get why it’s such a popular place to live! 

Prenzlberg is full of kid-friendly parks and lively brunch spots. It also boasts the largest collection of Wilhelminian-style buildings in Germany, so it’s got a very distinct aesthetic that is perfect for Instagram.

On Sundays, we love heading to Mauerpark for its famous flea market and open-air karaoke. Meanwhile, the many cafés around Helmholtzplatz are fantastic for relaxing and people-watching.

All in all, Prenzlauer Berg is a perfect base for those who want a peaceful, walkable neighborhood with easy access to Mitte, the historic center, as well as the grittier and more alternative areas of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.

Pros

• Beautiful area with historic architecture, with a village-like feel
• Great cafés, restaurants, and parks for a laid-back stay
• Central location, easy to access other popular areas

Cons

• Expensive area to stay in
• Not for those looking for Berlin’s grittier vibe 

Luxury – $$$

Myer’s Hotel Berlin is a modern hotel with a touch of old-world glamor. It’s set in a beautifully restored building just a few minutes’ walk from SenefelderPlatz U-Bahn, so getting to the rest of the city from here is super easy. 

The rooms here are elegant with high ceilings and rich wood furnishings, as well as unique artwork in each one. There’s also a peaceful inner courtyard, and every stay includes a generous breakfast buffet. Meanwhile, there’s a small spa tucked away in the cellar with a dry sauna and steam room where guests can unwind after a day of exploring. Sounds like bliss to me!

Prices here range between €200 and €300 for a double or twin room.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

Schoenhouse City Street is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a comfortable, well-located home base in Berlin. This aparthotel offers modern, apartment-style accommodations that are perfect for a self-catered stay. 

It’s clean, airy, and modern, and with an ideal location in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg—what more could you want? It’s just a short walk from Alexanderplatz and Berlin Cathedral, with the TV Tower and Museum Island also nearby. It’s a great pick for couples, families, or solo travelers who want a little more space and independence while still being right in the heart of the action.

On average, prices here range between €100 and €200 per night.

Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com!

Budget – $

Old Town Hostel in Prenzlauer Berg is a top pick for budget travelers who want comfort, style, and a laid-back vibe without breaking the bank. This hostel is surrounded by cool cafés, bars, and restaurants, and it’s super close to public transport, the Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn, and several tram lines, so getting around is a breeze. 

Unlike traditional hostels, all rooms here are private (single, double, or triple), so you don’t have to listen to strangers snore in dorms! However, there’s still a friendly, social atmosphere and plenty of chances to meet new people in the shared spaces, like the in-house library. For the price and the location, it’s definitely one of the best budget stays in Berlin.

Prices here range between €70 and €150 for a single room.

Check prices and availability here!

Related Read: For some ideas on how to spend time in the city, here are our top 8 things to do in Berlin!

Kreuzberg 

Some say that Kreuzberg is a state of mind! It’s one of Berlin’s coolest districts, and it has long been a magnet for free spirits, artists, punks, and activists. Basically, it’s a haven for those who live life outside of the lines, although it is slowly being gentrified, so now vegan brunch cafés accompany the tattoo shops and grungy dive bars. 

Kreuzberg was historically a working-class neighborhood that was transformed by post-war migration, squatting movements, and citizen-led protests against aggressive urban renewal in the 1970s and ’80s. In fact, that rebellious, DIY energy definitely still lingers to this day! This area is ideal for those interested in political history, social movements, and specialty coffee shops, of course.

You can also walk to the East Side Gallery from here, which is the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Many of Berlin’s best clubs are in Kreuzberg, and the rest are all over in neighboring Friedrichshain, so this is THE place for party animals to stay. It really does have that edgy vibe that Berlin has become so famous for.

Pros

• Artistic, edgy neighborhood 
• Lively and unconventional nightlife
• Relatively affordable accommodation 
• Diverse, multicultural food scene

Cons

• Can be loud at night 
• A little further out from Mitte (40 mins on public transport)

Luxury – $$$

A stay at Orania.Berlin delivers the full-on Kreuzberg experience! Situated in a historic building from 1913, the hotel blends old-world charm with modern luxury. The rooms are beautifully designed with plush furnishings and creative touches by local designers. Plus, the bathrooms feel like mini spas! 

But the best thing about this hotel is the cultural vibe. With a grand piano, a literary salon, a buzzing bar, and live jazz performances, this place feels like an exclusive hideaway for the literati. It’s way more than just a place to sleep, that’s for sure.

Double rooms here range between €250 and €350 per night.

Check prices and availability for all room categories here!

Mid-range – $$

Nena Apartments – Kreuzberg 61 is a great base for exploring Berlin. It’s a spacious aparthotel in Kreuzberg, and the units each have kitchenettes, private bathrooms, and a dining area. Plus, with soundproofing, you won’t need to worry about Kreuzberg’s late-night noise!

This place is also just a short walk from Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror. Meanwhile, there are plenty of public transport options nearby to take you to Potsdamer Platz and beyond.

Studios here range between €110 and €175 per night.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Budget – $

The bright and funky acama Hotel & Hostel Kreuzberg is a budget-friendly gem. It’s a short stroll from Möckernbrücke and Hallesches Tor U-Bahn stations, so it offers easy access to the entire city. It’s also within walking distance of Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie, as well as a 15-minute walk from Bergmannstraße’s charming cafes and boutiques.

This property offers private rooms for 1 – 6 people. Despite the hostel-like vibe, all of the rooms have private bathrooms and cable TV. So whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, this place offers a comfortable and affordable stay.

Double rooms here usually cost between €65 and €185 per night, depending on demand.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Friedrichshain

Friedrichshain was once a working-class district in East Berlin, but now it’s one of the city’s liveliest and most diverse neighborhoods, although it maintains that famous gritty, punk vibe. With its graffiti, Soviet-era architecture, and the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, which is now an open-air gallery.

You can delve into Berlin’s Cold War past here at the former Stasi headquarters, which is chilling but fascinating to visit. We also like hanging out in the Volkspark Friedrichshain and exploring the indie boutiques and cafes around Boxhagener Platz. There’s a great flea market here, too, where you can find some real gems! 

Today, Friedrichshain attracts a wide mix of people. It’s a very diverse area, and it’s home to lots of yummy street food, which is always something that we appreciate.

And don’t worry, partygoers, we haven’t forgotten about you. The RAW-Gelände and Revaler Strasse near the Ostkreuz station are hotspots for bars and clubs. Despite its growing popularity and development, Friedrichshain retains its raw charm and community feel. It’s lively, ever-changing, and just a little rough around the edges.

Pros 

• Strong alternative vibe
• Lots of lively nightlife
• Affordable area

Cons 

• Not the cleanest area
• Some pickpocketing and petty crime

Luxury – $$$

NH Berlin Alexanderplatz is located just steps from Volkspark Friedrichshain, and it offers 4-star comfort in the heart of this edgy neighborhood. It boasts bright, airy rooms that feel a world away from the gritty streets outside, so this hotel allows you to experience the best of both worlds: vibrant city life and a restful retreat.

The hotel’s on-site restaurant serves up international cuisine and German favorites, while the classic-style bar offers tons of great cocktails. Best of all, during the warmer months, guests can relax with a meal or cocktail on the leafy terrace. The hotel is well connected to public transport, and secure underground parking is available, which is ideal if you’re renting a car in Berlin.

Standard rooms here typically cost between €95 and €200.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$ 

STAYERY Berlin Friedrichshain is a modern aparthotel that blends the comfort of home with the style of a boutique stay—who doesn’t love that? It offers bright, contemporary apartments with soundproofing, so you can still get a great night’s sleep in spite of Friedrichshain’s lively nightlife.

There are also some great shared spaces here, like a cozy lounge, a games room, and a garden terrace that’s ideal for those warm summer months. It’s a 30-minute walk or a quick bus ride to the East Side Gallery. Unsurprisingly, this property is really popular with couples and digital nomads, and basically anyone looking for a stylish stay in one of Berlin’s most fun areas.

Rooms here start at €200 per night.

Check prices and availability and book your stay here!

Budget – $

Moored on the River Spree smack dab in the middle of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, Shipotel-Berlin GmbH, Shipotel Eastern & Shipotel Western offers one of Berlin’s most unique stays. As you can probably guess from the name, it’s literally a ship hotel! 

These converted boats are just steps from the East Side Gallery. You can choose between the  Shipotel Eastern, which features private cabins with en-suite bathrooms and a sunny deck area with views of the iconic Oberbaum Bridge, and the Shipotel Western, which offers simple cabins with shared bathrooms.

There’s a floating lounge on the outdoor deck where you can enjoy drinks in the summer, and an indoor bar with a fireplace to cozy up inside during winter. There are also stand-up comedy nights in English three nights a week. This place is perfect for adventurous travelers seeking something different while staying close to Berlin’s world-famous nightlife hubs.

Prices here start at €75 per night.

Check availability and reserve your stay at Booking.com!

Related Read: To make the most out of your time in Berlin, check out our detailed 3-day itinerary that covers all the highlights and hidden gems!

Mitte

Mitte is the geographic and historic center of Berlin. It’s where the city began, and it’s home to Berlin’s most famous landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, the Reichstag, and the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz.

This central district offers a mix of grand architecture, leafy parks, and historic highlights. It’s perfect for travelers who want to be close to everything! 

As I mentioned earlier, it’s not my favorite part of Berlin to stay in, but that’s not to say I dislike spending time here. In fact, I love exploring all of the famous landmarks here and learning about German history, but I just love staying in areas like Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg that are full of Berlin’s unique character. 

However, if you’re short on time, Mitte is an ideal area to stay because it’s close to the city’s major attractions. Plus, it’s super well-connected and smack dab in the middle of Berlin, so if you do want to get out and explore places like Kreuzberg, it’s very easy to do. 

Mitte was once divided by the Berlin Wall, and its buildings tell stories about everything from Prussian kings to Cold War spies. It’s a super convenient base for exploring Berlin and my top pick for history buffs!

Pros 

• Super central 
• Home to tons of major attractions
• Well connected

Cons

• Not as vibrant as other neighborhoods
• Can be expensive

Luxury – $$$ 

The Westin Grand Berlin is a timelessly elegant hotel housed in a beautiful building right on the historic Friedrichstrasse, just a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden Boulevard. 

Its location couldn’t be better, and once inside, 5-star luxury awaits. I love the dramatic lobby here, which looks like it belongs in an old Hollywood film, and the beds are oh-so comfy. The on-site Relish Restaurant serves up fine French-Asian fusion and sophisticated cocktails to boot. And if you do ever manage to leave this plush property, there’s a U-Bahn station right outside, so getting around Berlin is a breeze.

Prices here usually range between €180 and €300 per night.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte is a quirky 4-star hotel that was inspired by the New York Stock Exchange—yes, really! This hotel has a distinct financial flair with kitsch touches like dollar-bill carpets and chocolate coins left on your pillow each morning.

It also has a Wall Street-themed restaurant on site and a cocktail bar, as well as a sauna and gym. It’s located between Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz, so it’s super central and it’s easy to get to places like Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, and Friedrichstraße from here. 

Rooms here typically cost between €100 and €200 per night.

Check availability and book your stay here!

Budget – $ 

Premier Inn Berlin City Centre offers a great value stay. It’s super clean with comfy beds, well-stocked bathrooms, and friendly staff. You always know what you’re going to get with a good old Premier Inn! 

With two train stations just 10-15 minutes walk from the hotel, it’s a good choice if you’re planning to use public transport to get around. Meanwhile, it’s tucked away enough that you can get a good night’s rest without any traffic noise. If you’re planning a quick budget city break in Berlin, this is the ideal place to stay.

Prices here generally range between €75 and €175 per night, although it can be a bit more expensive if you book at the last minute.

Find the best prices at Booking.com!

Other Activities to do While in Berlin

Now that you’ve picked the best area to stay in Berlin and booked your hotel, it’s time to start planning the fun stuff! We’ve done a lot in this city over the years, and honestly, the list of things to do could go on forever. But don’t worry—we’ve rounded up a few of our absolute favorite Berlin experiences to help you get started.

• Take a walking tour – This half–day tour was the perfect introduction to Berlin, covering the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and more. Our guide brought the city’s layered history to life, and even without going inside, the stories and landmarks left a lasting impression.

• Peddle your way through the city – Seeing Berlin’s highlights like the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate on this bike tour was such a fun experience. Our guide made the history feel fresh, and the midday beer garden stop was the perfect way to recharge before getting back on the road!

• Take a food tour – Berlin’s food scene is seriously underrated! We joined this walking food tour through Kreuzberg and sampled everything from Turkish specialties to local currywurst. Our guide shared so many cool stories along the way—it felt like eating with a local friend!

• Visit Sachsenhausen – This concentration camp tour was heavy, but so important. Visiting Sachsenhausen with a knowledgeable guide gave real weight to what we’ve only read about in books. Walking through the camp and hearing the stories was sobering—we left feeling deeply moved and grateful we went.

• Chill out at the Berlin Icebar – This icebar experience is literally cool! We bundled up in the provided jackets and gloves, then stepped into a bar made entirely of ice—walls, seats, even the glasses. The cocktails were fun, the vibe was playful, and it made for such a unique night out!

Renting a Car in Europe

Exploring Europe by car is a fantastic way to uncover hidden gems—think charming villages, scenic countryside, and off-the-beaten-path spots that trains and buses might miss. Driving here is generally straightforward, but it’s good to be prepared for some regional quirks.

We always use Discover Cars to book our rentals and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.

Tips for Renting a Car in Europe

• Know the local rules: Most countries drive on the right, except the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. Road signs and driving laws can vary, so do a quick check before you go.
• Practice defensive driving: In parts of Europe, especially in the south, driving can feel fast-paced and a little unpredictable. Make sure you stay alert and keep a safe following distance.
• Insurance is essential: I highly recommend adding full coverage insurance to your rental. Whether it’s a parking lot ding or a chipped windshield on a mountain road, full protection gives you peace of mind. Plus, it’s super affordable through Discover Cars!
• Pick the right vehicle: Most rentals in Europe are manual, and automatic cars are limited, so book early if that’s what you need. A compact car is also ideal for narrow roads and tight parking. On Discover Cars, you can easily filter for everything you need.
• Watch for restricted zones: Many cities have low-emission or restricted traffic zones. Driving into these without a permit can result in fines, so always check local rules if you’re heading into a city center.
• Be prepared for border crossings: While crossing borders is usually easy within the Schengen Zone, some rental companies require you to declare your travel plans in advance. Always check with Discover Cars if you’re planning to drive into another country.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Europe

• A valid driver’s license from your home country.
• If you’re from outside the EU, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended—and in some countries, it’s legally required.
• A credit card in the driver’s name is typically needed for the security deposit.
• Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. If you’re under 25, expect a young driver surcharge—and in some countries, the minimum age may be higher.

Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring Europe on your own terms!

Thanks for reading!

You’ll be doing a lot of walking, sightseeing, and soaking up history in Berlin, so having a great place to stay makes all the difference! Whether you’re after a stylish boutique hotel or something budget-friendly, these neighborhoods offer the perfect home base to rest and recharge after a full day of exploring.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out our other Germany blogs here to help plan your trip! Here are a few more guides we think you’ll love:

8 Best Things To Do In Berlin, Germany

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Berlin: The Best 3-Day Itinerary

8 Best Things to do in Warsaw, Poland

How to Spend ONE or TWO Days in Lucerne, Switzerland: 1 or 2 Day Itinerary